Advice on this RV £6k, no MOT and potential damp (1 Viewer)

[JacobsMess]

So looking to get a motorhome to travel to Norway for a few months later this year. I've found something local that is downplated to 3.5T so I can drive it on my car license, but they want £6k, it hasn't had MOT for 3 years (200miles since the last one) and has some rot by the sounds of it. would you advise to move on or try to negotiate price down?
I'm handy at DIY and construction/mechanics on simple engines but would obviously like to avoid spending more money than necessary for a big project. How easy are body panels to replace?
Thanks

 

[Riverbankannie]

It is worth what someone is prepared to pay for it whatever state it is in.
However some points to consider
It looks like it would struggle to come in under 3500 especially if you are not travelling on your own. You need to know what it weighs now, the 3500 is for fully loaded and on the road including occupants, not just what it weighed empty when down plated.
Getting repairs done in Norway is very very expensive as I think jumar found out so you would need to know that it is in excellent mechanical condition.

I’ll let someone else discuss damp issues.

 

[Spriddler]

Can't help with the panels.
Its MOT record has been quite good but at the last one lots of corrosion on underside which won't have improved (and many other parts will need attention) through standing unused (outside?) for the past 3 years.:

​

Date tested7 October 2016​

PASS​

Mileage60,667 miles​

MOT test number8306 4901 4737​

Test location​

View test location

Expiry date6 October 2017​

Advisory notice item(s)​

• LOTS OF SURFACE CORROSION ON UNDERSIDE

What are advisories?

Date tested30 September 2016​

FAIL​

Mileage60,649 miles​

MOT test number1475 4306 1850​

Test location​

View test location

Reason(s) for failure​

• Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute all (1.4.A.2g)

What are failures?

Date tested15 June 2012​

PASS​

Mileage59,359 miles​

MOT test number3399 5766 2132​

Test location​

View test location

Expiry date14 June 2013​

Date tested15 June 2012​

FAIL​

Mileage59,359 miles​

MOT test number9650 7776 2126​

Test location​

View test location

Reason(s) for failure​

• Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)
• Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)
• Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

What are failures?

Date tested15 June 2011​

PASS​

Mileage58,242 miles​

MOT test number3890 5616 1111​

Test location​

View test location

Expiry date14 June 2012​

Date tested13 June 2011​

FAIL​

Mileage58,242 miles​

MOT test number8854 0436 1146​

Test location​

View test location

Reason(s) for failure​

• Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)
• Offside Upper Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

What are failures?

Date tested1 June 2010​

PASS​

Mileage56,106 miles​

MOT test number8734 4205 0133​

Test location​

View test location

Expiry date6 June 2011​

Date tested27 May 2009​

PASS​

Mileage54,217 miles​

MOT test number2701 6784 9457​

Test location​

View test location

Expiry date6 June 2010​

Date tested27 May 2009​

FAIL​

Mileage54,217 miles​

MOT test number2633 0774 9414​

Test location​

View test location

Reason(s) for failure​

• Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

What are failures?

Date tested2 June 2008​

PASS​

Mileage52,760 miles​

MOT test number2118 4455 8422​

Test location​

View test location

Expiry date6 June 2009​

Date tested2 June 2008​

FAIL​

Mileage52,760 miles​

MOT test number9448 9475 8192​

Test location​

View test location

Reason(s) for failure​

• Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

What are failures?

Date tested7 June 2007​

PASS​

Mileage50,667 miles​

MOT test number8139 0805 7157​

Test location​

View test location

Expiry date6 June 2008​

Date tested23 May 2006​

PASS​

Mileage48,630 miles​

MOT test number2819 6374 6136​

Test location​

View test location

Expiry date22 May 2007​

Advisory notice item(s)​

• Offside Inner Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

What are advisories?

Outstanding vehicle recalls​

Check if ROCKWOOD M977RKG has outstanding recalls

Support links​

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• Privacy notice
• Broken Link Removed
• MOT history API
• Built by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency

Open Government Licence
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[Trevor Wbm]

As above, I'd be wary of the 3.5T. If that's without food and clothes in the cupboards, no water in the fresh or waste tanks, no gas and no passengers (or any one of them) you'll be driving without a licence once you load it, and that will very likely knock-on to the validity of your insurance.

 

[Lenny HB]

Looking at the photo no way is that drivable at 3.5t more like 6 - 7t.
A vehicle standing around for 3 years is likely to have all sorts of mechanical problems and may need a few grand spending on it.
Most damp problems are fixable if you are good at DIY but if you need to get a workshop involved you are talking thousands.

What's it worth in good nick? If it would be around £20k probably worth a punt.

 

[Swifter]

It’s probably a complete nightmare and going to cost a fair bit to get up and running and maintained . However , I absolutely love it

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[The Coops]

Its over 25 years old and an import you are going to struggle with spares and breakdown insurance plus emissions in Low Zones , how bad is the damp? Not a project I would consider

 

[jumar]

It is worth what someone is prepared to pay for it whatever state it is in.
However some points to consider
It looks like it would struggle to come in under 3500 especially if you are not travelling on your own. You need to know what it weighs now, the 3500 is for fully loaded and on the road including occupants, not just what it weighed empty when down plated.
Getting repairs done in Norway is very very expensive as I think jumar found out so you would need to know that it is in excellent mechanical condition.

I’ll let someone else discuss damp issues.

Yep...eyes still watering after experiencing two breakdowns in Norway...

 

[rb62]

Might be worth having a look on MHFs sister site,but like others I'd be wary of the 3.5t

<Broken link removed>

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[emjaiuk]

I find it very difficult to believe that could get under 3.5t. I'd need to see a REPUTABLE weighbridge ticket at least. The mere concept that a seller would attempt to pass it off as a USABLE 3.5t MH would send me running.

 

[SuperMike]

If I understand your question correctly, replacement external body panels will not exist, you will have to work with what you have got. Possibly built upon a Chevrolet P30 chassis, with the 6.5 litre turbocharged diesel engine, the gross weight would be an issue at 3.5t, remember one gallon of water weighs 4.5kg

 

[Lofty1]

I think 3.5 ton is the amount it can carry more like 7.5 ton loaded

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[berni109]

I think you already know the answer. Dont let your heart rule your head.
Love the idea but it looks like a money pit to me.
Even if they were giving it away I would think twice.

 

[chaser]

External panels presumably alloy so shouldn't be a problem, just a good clean, but that then is the least of your problems, the 3.5 ton is really a laugh, no way is that going to work, and the underneath and mechanicals is going to be obsolete, and also the inside of damp has got in are going to be rotton
Up to you but if you are thinking of going on your own do you really need something this big anyway.?

 

[Steve and Denise]

3.5t plus Vat

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[Nanniemate]

looks lovely, over weight and expensive

 

[chaser]

Think this pretty much puts an end to this

 

[old-mo]

As said if that has been down plated that much, doubt there is enough payload for a driver....

Who ever down plated must have had a nice back hander...

I would think that bare bones straight from the factory it would weigh at least 5 tons..

To be honest I would not think about buying it.. and I have bought some sheds in my time..

You can often pick up or some one will know of one that may suit you or be a better bet than that one.. on our sister site =

RV Owners Club

American Recreational Vehicle Enthusiasts

www.rvoc.co.uk

And do you have the license to drive over 3.5 tons..?

Good luck in your venture what ever road you take...

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[steve 6644]

Wind up??

 

[Tombola]

There is one permanent on a site I visit in North Wales similar age, thats only good for permanent living and thats what he does, lives in it full time.
Never seen him even start it.

 

[Swifter]

Wind up??

It what way is that useful ?
Comments like this put new members off asking questions

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[Tombola]

It what way is that useful ?
Comments like this put new members off asking questions

Must say initially i almost thought similar , in the way that WHOAAAA thats a brave person who wants to get that and shoot off to Norway...whats the catch

 

[Swifter]

Must say initially i thought similar , in the way that WHOAAAA thats a brave person who wants to get that and shot off to Norway

Yes but imagine how you would feel if you were new to a forum and were asking a genuine question . The guy only joined as a free member this morning . It’s nice to see the majority of the advice has been honest and genuine .

 

[SuperMike]

Further, check the tyre dates, it will almost certainly need a set of tyres, budget about £1k + for that.

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[Tombola]

Yes but imagine how you would feel if you were new to a forum and were asking a genuine question . The guy only joined as a free member this morning . It’s nice to see the majority of the advice has been honest and genuine .

Oh yes, of course I agree ( and also seen Jims post regarding same) and which is why I didnt pose the same question, just saying it initially raised my eye brows as WOW...in THAT ?

 

[Steve and Denise]

Sensible answer is to pass this one by

 

[Gromett]

Wind up??

Please don't answer questions with things like

Please don't answer questions with things like This has been done to death You're the 10th Person to ask this week Use the search and you'll find loads of ... Google is your friend. The person who has plucked up the courage to ask the question, will feel like they have just wasted your time...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

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[Gromett]

So looking to get a motorhome to travel to Norway for a few months later this year. I've found something local that is downplated to 3.5T so I can drive it on my car license, but they want £6k, it hasn't had MOT for 3 years (200miles since the last one) and has some rot by the sounds of it. would you advise to move on or try to negotiate price down?
I'm handy at DIY and construction/mechanics on simple engines but would obviously like to avoid spending more money than necessary for a big project. How easy are body panels to replace?
Thanks
View attachment 456808

I can't see that getting down to 3.5T even totally empty with the interior stripped out

I think there may have been a misunderstanding there?

 

[Diabalo]

The main concern would be the 3.5T as others have pointed out it's very doubtful. This has money pit written all over it in my opinion.

Best of luck

 

[Barclaybasher]

I'd always check the MOT history

This one has done 12,000 miles in 14 years, 1000 in the last 4 up to 2016

MOT 2016 advisory, lots of surface corrosion underneath

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